Civilized dining... an endangered species.

A recent article in the LA Times [ Upscale restaurants are dressing down ] struck a chord with me.

The brilliant restaurateur Gordon Sinclair had a delicious policy.  No mobile phones in the dining room.  Diners were required (and complied) to check their phones with the bartender - who would take messages for the guests while they enjoyed a quiet lunch or dinner in his eponymous restaurant.

His service was polished.  The food fine.  The room lively.  Nothing stuffy about it.  Just civil.

Would that fly today?  According to this most seriously demoralizing account of the state of fine dining - no.

It just begs the question - does serious dining and fine dining have to be defrocked, so to speak, to be palatable to the loud, disheveled masses?  Does every dining room have to be devoid of linens and ever table within eyeshot of a big screen to watch the Lakers or Dodgers or Bears or Bills?  

Do our dining hosts have to bow to the Yelpsters and other online commentators?  Do you really base your dining decisions on the opinions of people you don't know whose comments are based solely on their one experience?  Frankly - though many food journos are barely more qualified - I would look to Los Angeles Magazine or the LA Times or LA Weekly for direction.

This is what really hit me {with my comments in brackets}...
"She revisited Water Grill recently and was impressed by the relaxed atmosphere and the absence of 'old money bags' customers {read: more cell phone call, ironic T-shirts and ridiculously short skirts than suits and quiet conversation}. The tablecloths were gone and the floors stripped of carpet {read: the room is more comfortable and safe like Fridays or Red Lobster}.  French fries, mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese were on the menu {read: I don't have to think or be challenged and can order the same thing at every restaurant - YAY!}."


Give me...
NO TV.  NO CELL PHONES.  CLOTH NAPKINS.  Any day.  Every day.

Beautiful bubbles in a beautiful setting...

This Monday I had the joy of visiting the Carolina Herrera flagship on Melrose Place here in West Hollywood.  It was a fall/pre-fall preview.  

I sipped some lovely prosecco and enjoyed these bubbles as well...

Known for her fresh, lively patterns...  I saw a few 

that made me smile...

And one that brought out my foodie side...

I got to chat with my charming neighbor and host...

Made recommendations to a few lovely women who either 

thought I was spot on - or just crazy.

And - really enjoy Ms. Herrera's understated, sumptuous designs...

Beauty and bubbles in a posh setting...  Great way to start the week.

What I would've said...

Awww... Honey, bless your heart.

Leggings aren't pants.

I can see your uterus.

Watch. Smile. Forget the world for a few...

Seriously.

Watch this and try not to smile.

Pure, unbridled joy as Wade becomes Unique on GLEE

Today's Shoes and Socks...

Really? FOR ALL THIS WE'LL PAY YOU $15/hr. junior publicist...

SO - saw this post online... Was amused then horrified. The position listed has many demands. If the "starting rate" were annualized - this junior team member would be a bit under $30K. Not a bad starting salary. However - the position has requirements that an entry-level PR professional simply could not meet. {caps are theirs not mine} We have to manage client expectations - but should also seek to manage our own.

THE JUNIOR PUBLICIST will assist the Director of Public Relations on all retainer client accounts, taking direction and working closely with staff in the company's Los Angeles and New York offices. It is essential that the applicant be well-rounded in their past experience and that they have strong entertainment and lifestyle press contacts, as well as RELATIONSHIPS WITH KEY BROADCAST OUTLETS.

Duties include:
• working directly with the LA PR team on a daily basis to secure placements and coverage for all retainer based PR Clients
+CONSTANT ONGOING COMMUNICATION WITH THE NEW YORK OFFICE (PR LIASON BETWEEN THE TWO OFFICES)
• ASSIST IN WritING/editING company and client pitches, press releases and other PR materials; Distributing to appropriate press outlets
• Constant research and pursuit of press opportunities for clients; securing meaningful press placements regularly
• Creating and maintaining relationships with editors, producers, writers
+STRATEGIZING AND CREATIVE BRAINSTORMING FOR ALL CLIENTS

Candidates must have:
• At least 2 years relevant experience
+Pre-existing database of LONG AND SHORT LEAD press contacts -- print, broadcast and online (BLOGGERS ARE KEY)
• Strong communication skills, and experience INTERFACING with clients
• Thorough knowledge of the content and voice of a multitude of press outlets and an understanding of how they need to be pitched
• ORGANIZATION SKILLS, BE forward thinking and resourceful AND understand the necessity of follow-up
• THE Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines in an efficient manner
• EVENT EXPERIENCE: securing press RSVP's for client and company events, as well as pre and post event coverage; KNOW HOW TO service photos, work with event photographers to garner press worthy photo opportunities, manage the red carpet and press placement on the carpet.
• Experience and knowledge of computer programs such as Cision and Microsoft works.

***PLEASE DO NOT APPLY IF YOU COMPUTER-ILLITERATE***

Please reply with your cover letter and resume to the email address above.

• Location: Hollywood, CA
• Compensation: $15 per hour starting rate <---- REALLY?!?!

Why Didn’t They Ask Me Dining Guide – Issue 1

I'm asked all the time - where do I like to go? My doctor asked me to put together some recommendations for him... This first issue is what I've compiled to date. Issues 2 and 3 feature different locations and delicacies. Stay tuned...

Downtown

Sip

-Varnish – secret door in the back of Cole’s (French Dip palace) – lovely mixology spot

-Groundwork, Handsome Coffee, Coffeebar [http://coffeebarla.com/]

- Syrup has great desserts and grilled cheese sandwiches – on Spring near 6^th Street

-Ollie’s - this former Mexican gay sports bar is a hoot… fun, diverse crowd, good music and just a happy vibe. http://www.myspace.com/bar107/photos formally called Bar 107

-The upstairs jazz bar at the Biltmore is beautiful and fun. http://www.millenniumhotels.com/millenniumlosangeles/restaurant/index.html

-The Edison is a spectacular mixology bar – with a stringent dress code – but – worth the effort! http://www.edisondowntown.com/

-Redwood – fun dive, live music http://www.theredwoodbar.com/site08/homewiframe.htm

Sup

-Bottega Louie – stunning room, good Italian fare – great marketplace $$

-Church + State – in the arts district – amazing French $$

-Chaya – amazing French/Asian – great sushi – bento is a value http://www.thechaya.com/downtownLosAngeles/index.html $$$

-Artisan House – just opened – gorgeous dining room and amazing specialty market http://artisanhouse.net/ $?$? Service was discombobulated but cordial.

-Mac and Cheeza – fun, cheap, mac and cheese – ‘nuff said. http://macandcheeza.com/ may be relocating $

Culver City

Sup

-Swell room… great food. Harrison Ford’s son -http://www.fordsfillingstation.net/xml.html $$$

-Honey Kettle Fried Chicken. http://www.honeyskettle.com/ O M G! Delicious!!! $ next to Ford’s

-My Father’s Office - http://www.fathersoffice.com/ Culver outlet for popular Santa Monica spot for burgers and beer. In the VERY FUN Helm’s Bakery revamp – H.D Buttercup – tons of home stores and such $$

-L’Epicerie - http://www.lepiceriemarket.com/ have not been yet – but looks/sounds neat

-A-Frame Uncommon. Fun. Tasty. Reasonable. http://aframela.com/new/ $

Long Beach

Sip

-Sipology – a favorite coffee in a neat little shopping pocket - may or may note be open any longer (Broadway and Temple)

-The Library is a quirky coffee spot http://www.thelibraryacoffeehouse.com/ $ Good Drinks – fun room.

-Fuego at Hotel Maya - http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/LGBMYDT-Hotel-Maya-a-DoubleTree-by-Hilton-Hotel-California/dining.do - great spot for drinks on the harbor overlooking downtown Long Beach – solid drinks, OK apps – not a great spot for dinner – just apps, drinks and a killer view $$

-Broadway is lousy with bars in Long Beach – and they’re all kinda fun – Sweetwater is a D I V E, The Brit, The Falcon, the Broadway Bar, Mineshaft – Ripples is on the beach

-Portfolio – great coffee spot - http://portfoliocoffeehouse.com/ in a neat vintage shopping district – 4^th Street

Sup

-Michael’s – posh Italian spot on charming Naples Island… http://www.michaelsonnaples.com/ great roof deck $$$

-Michael’s Pizzeria – stylish, tasty, casual sister to Michael’s http://michaelspizzeria.com/mobile/location.htm $$

-Starling Diner http://starlingdiner.com/ lovely neighborhood spot with great food! $

-Bono’s http://www.bonoslongbeach.com/ Chaz’s spot in popular, congested Belmont Shore delivers reasonable fare at a reasonable cost. Nice room. Good outdoor dining $$

Misc.

Sip

-Iota coffee in Koreatown on Western… $$ expensive – but cool room, neat pastries and open all night (pretty much) – from the folks who created LAMILL Coffee

-Paper or Plastik – cool, COOL coffee spot in an up-and-coming spot on Pico - http://paperorplastikcafe.com/ cool pastries from neat local bakers. Nice room.

-Coffee Commissary – I should reserve this for the West Hollywood issue – but I’m on a coffee roll… Great spot on Fairfax next to a great butcher shop ( beautiful natural meat butchered by two fabulous gals… ) Very SERIOUS baristas. Right near Shorty’s Barber shop – bet. Melrose and Santa Monica – also – weekdays – the delicious food truck EggSlut is there serving beautiful eggcentric breakfasts – most weekday mornings

-LAMILL COFFEE – again – should wait for Silver Lake – but we’re on a coffee jag here – so... Stunning room. Precious – but pristine food. Great coffee – the Valrhona Mocha rocks! http://lamillcoffee.com/ $$

Issue 2 – West LA and the beach cities, Hollywood, Silver Lake/Los Feliz,

Issue 3 – West Hollywood, Palm Springs and more…